Howard Memorial Hospital Named Top PerformerIn June HMH was named as a 2013 Professional Research Consultants (PRC) Top Performer Hospital in patient care for employee perception. Last year, HMH employees participated in our annual Employee Opinion Survey conducted by PRC and rated the hospital as number one nationwide for their perception of patient care delivered at their hospital. In addition, HMH was awarded three 5-star awards in the categories of employee perception of teamwork within a department, as a place to work, and patient care. It was also awarded four 4-star awards in the categories of employee perception of communication, degree people are treated fairly, immediate supervisor, overall empowerment, senior leadership, teamwork between departments, and total compensation package.

“The patient care at HMH is a combination of always putting the patient first, focusing on safety, teamwork and quality, then delivering it all with compassion,” Vice President of Patient Care, Karen Scott, RN said.

The Employee Opinion Survey is conducted to obtain the opinions of the employees at HMH via a confidential survey to assess their perceptions of hospital operations and patient care. The hospital uses the research findings to continuously improve and enhance employee satisfaction and the patient experience.

“These awards further emphasize the commitment HMH’s staff has to providing great patient care to Willits and the surrounding communities,” said Darcy de Leon, Regional Human Resources Director. “This commitment has been consistent throughout HMH’s history, and the staff looks forward to providing excellent patient care for another 85 years.”

To see all of the awards, visit the Administration office where they are displayed.

PRC is a nationally-known healthcare marketing research company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Professional Research Consultants is in its 33rd year of providing marketing research for hospitals across the United States. Company information can be found on their corporate website, www.PRConline.com.

Planetree ........................... 2

Relay For Life ................... 2

CEO’s Message ................. 3

Welcome Dr. Moyers......... 3

Healthy Beverages............. 4

Commonwealth Garden ... 5

New Hospital Update ....... 5

Jann Lamprich Award ....... 6

Joy in the Journey ............. 7

Calendar of Events ........... 8

MissionHoward Memorial

Hospital is a family of caring professionals

committed to providing the highest quality of

service. In partnership with physicians and community

leaders, our purpose is to improve our patients’

physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and to enhance the health of our

community.

HMHIn-TouchIn-TouchIn This Issue

Neighbors Helping Neighbors®

July 2013

Planetree: The Path Forward Toward Designation By Arpad Peter

Howdy Folks!

Diane and Patsy have brought us very close to our goal of Planetree Designation. Now is a good time for us to celebrate and build the head of steam that we need to cross the finish line. Many of us have observed that the HMH Spirit has been put to the test of late. And yes, it has. On the other hand, many will also see an opportunity for the HMH Family to see the real Spirit of Neighbors helping Neighbors®, and to show the metal of which we are made, continuing to work all the harder together for our patients and community like we always have.

The Planetree Train is once again getting ready to roll, so get on and GET INVOLVED. See it. Own it. Solve it. Do it!

See you on the train!

American Cancer Society Relay For LifeJoin the HMH Team! Willits Relay takes place July 27-28 at Recreation Grove Park

Annie Dogali, Raquel Rivera, Ginny Holmen, Holly Sears, Ruth Gibson, Stacy Fields, Becky Hope, Lorelei Choate, and I have signed up to be on the HMH Relay For Life team and we want you to join us!

The money raised through Relay For Life events support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving work, like Hope Lodge facilities, which offer cancer patients a free place to stay, comfort, and support when they have to travel far from home for treatment.

Too many people, including possibly someone you or I know, will be diagnosed with cancer this year. A Relay For Life event is our opportunity to inspire hope by raising funds and awareness to help those facing the disease. I hope you will join us!

If you would like to join the HMH Team listed above or make a donation to the cause, please contact any of the team members listed below or our team captain, Kristen at x3127 or Kristen.McCallum@ah.org

Congratulations to Nathan L. from Physical

Therapy for winning the June Parking Permit drawing. Thank you for

putting our patients first.

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Improve“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achieve-ment, and success have no meaning.” Benjamin Franklin

HMH has had excellent patient satisfaction scores for years, but in the first quarter of this year, we beat our own score! Our patients recently rated us above the 98th percentile nationally as a hospital they would recommend to their families and friends in a survey conducted by National Research Corporation (NRC Picker). In addition, NRC Picker has selected HMH as a winner of its fourth annual Path to Excellence award, which recognizes health care organizations for their dedication to improving the patient experience. NRC Picker implements patient surveys and performs analyses that recognize our hospital’s strengths and problem areas, and then uses them to design

specific, measurable improvement strategies. They are committed to equipping us with the knowledge and resources that are proven to improve the patient experience.

HMH has a long history of commitment to improvement, not only for our employees, but also for our patients and their experience while visiting our hospital. While we are excelling in our efforts to improve, we must continue and keep up the good work; otherwise our success will have no meaning.

Arpad Peter, our new Planetree Coordinator, has graciously accepted the challenge to keep us motivated and on the right track to Planetree Gold Designation. We have recently received our progress assessment from Planetree, and out of 54 criteria, 52 have been completed or are near completion. Below is a list of the 10 action teams that are working helping us to reach our goal.

1. Human Interactions 6. Arts and Entertainment2. Patient Education 7. Spirituality3. Family Involvement 8. Integrative Therapies/Human Touch4. Food and Nutrition 9. Healthy Communities5. Healing Environment 10. Measurement

If you would like to become more involved in the HMH Planetree journey I welcome you to contact me or Arpad and join an action team. In order for us to reach our goal, we must all continue working together to reach Gold designation.

Service is Sacred · Patient-Centered Care · Inspire Each Other · Respect for All · Improve · Trust

Rick Bockmann, CEO

Easter in the Commonwealth Gardens

Welcoming Julie Moyers, MD Radiologist

We are pleased to introduce Julie Moyers, MD, to the HMH Medical Staff and Family. She brings considerable depth and training in radiology. She recently completed a fellowship at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to this she completed a residency in Radiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Please join us in welcoming Julie Moyers, MD to the Willits community and Howard Hospital.

3

Healthy Beverage InitiativeIn our efforts to support the Healthy Beverage Initiative national campaign and to encourage healthier food choices here at Howard Memorial Hospital we have made some changes in the cafeteria. We have been trying to keep some healthy snacks in the grab and go fridge such as veggie bags, often from Commonwealth Garden, fresh garden salads, Greek yogurt, seasonal fruit and healthier beverages. In order to help

encourage healthy choices with the “Rethink Your Drink” campaign and to help reduce the consumption of unhealthy sodas in our own health care environment we have brought in more healthy choices of drinks such as low sugar Honesty Teas and flavored sparkling waters. However, don’t forget our filtered water and ice is the best choice, especially if you have your own reusable water bottle. We have increased our price for sodas but are trying to keep the healthy choices a lot less expensive. Our hope is that by making it more affordable to purchase the healthier beverage option this will encourage the healthier choice. The reasons for committing to a Healthy Beverage environment are profound and compelling. Obesity prevalence in the U.S. is rapidly increasing. Health care institutions throughout the country recognize the urgent need to reduce rates of obesity and chronic illness as well as their associated health care costs. It is well established that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contribute to the increased prevalence of obesity and associated chronic diseases that go along with weight gain. The production, consumption, and waste associated with sugar-sweetened and bottled beverages have numerous negative environmental consequences that are often overlooked. By supporting the Healthier Beverage Initiative and reducing access to unhealthy beverages, our health care community can assist in creating a food environment that supports health for both the community we serve and the environment in general. We will continue to expand our healthy choices in the grab and go refrigerator and appreciate the support and feedback to help us strive towards a healthier community and cafeteria.

Eat Healthy, Play Hard, Live Well!

Granola ParfaitServings: 6 Yield: 1 ⅛ quarts

1 ⅞ cups rolled oats1/3 cup sunflower seeds, raw¼ cup cashews, raw1/8 cup sesame seeds, raw¼ cup coconut flakes1/8 cup pumpkin seeds, raw¼ cup wheat germ, raw1/8 cup ground pecans (optional)1/8 cup brown sugar1/8 teaspoon salt1/16 cup honey1/16 cup molasses1/8 cup cooking oil1/8 cup hot water1/16 cup maple syrup (optional)1/3 cup golden raisins3 cups yogurt1 ½ cups berries

DirectionsCombine all dry ingredients, mix thoroughly.

Mix all wet ingredients and gradually add to dry mixture stirring constantly.

Bake at 225 degrees stirring every 35 minutes until golden brown, around 2 hours, and let cool before adding raisins.

Layer granola, yogurt and berries in 12 oz. cups according to your desire.

Nutrition FactsPer Serving: 445 Calories; 22g Fat (42.9% calories from fat); 14g Pro-tein; 52g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 16mg Cholesterol; 132mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 ½ Grain (Starch); ½ Lean Meat; 1 Fruit; ½ Non-Fat Milk; 4 Fat; 1 Other Carbohy-drates.

Executive Chef Kyle Evans

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The Future of the Commonwealth Garden Continued from last month, by Ananda Johnson

The Commonwealth Garden is the 5-acre organic garden that is part of the Howard Foundation (Foundation) Medical Campus and sits directly across from the new Howard Memorial Hospital. The new Medical Campus will include the hospital, a medical offices building, a wellness center, an auditorium, campus housing and the garden.

In addition to growing food for the hospital, the plan is that the garden will provide a healing environment for patients, staff, visitors, and members of the Willits community. Future plans include development of pathways that will allow visitors with disabilities to enjoy the garden as part of their emotional well-being, healing, and exercise, as well as participating in gardening activities. The Wellness Center will include a hands-on teaching kitchen that will host diabetes and nutrition education, making it possible for class participants to harvest produce from the garden, then return to the kitchen to learn how to prepare produce in the most nutritious and delicious ways. Research proves that the promotion of physical therapy and exercise, stress relief, emotional balance, and horticultural therapy are a large factor in patient centered care and satisfaction.

As HMH continues on its journey to become a Planetree designated hospital, horticultural therapy programs that serve patients through specific treatment plans and goals to quickly recover after a disease or injury, and the ability to function in a normal or near normal manner, fall right in line with Planetree’s philosophies. Studies have shown that garden settings give meaning to successful rehabilitation. This meaningful work helps engage and motivate a patient on the road to recovery. People are more motivated to do ambulatory exercises outside in a garden where they can see, touch, and smell the plants than they would in a hospital corridor or treadmill.

The Commonwealth Garden was an all-volunteer project until 2012. In 2006, there was no model for a garden project of this nature and the learning curve was challenging. The nature of farming is labor intensive and while volunteers do make up some of the work force, there must employees who run the day-to-day operations and development of the garden.

When I go to eat lunch in the HMH Cafe, there is nothing more rewarding than to listen to staff and visitors comment on the quality and freshness of the food they are eating. It is nothing short of amazing what Chef Kyle and his Culinary Team are able to create from the garden produce. Someday, I may need to visit the hospital as a patient, and if that day comes, I know I will be able to count on is fresh, organic, lovingly-grown produce that will enhance my healing process. Does it get any better than that?

Ray R. 1

Cindi T. 1

Rachel W. 2

Ed G. 3

Scott W. 3

Ted B. 4

David S. 4

Julie H. 5

Marita B. 7

Wendy K. 7

Amber C. 8

Rose M. 8

Frank W. 8

Candice R. 9

Jancice B. 12

Kristen H. 12

Mary K. 13

Stella B. 16

Stacy F. 19

Kris F. 19

Britt G. 22

Bob N. 24

Steve L. 26

Monti D. 27

Leslie S. 29

Nathan L. 31

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July

Did You Know?Facts and Updates about the Construction of Our New Hospital

• The roof installation has begun!

• Next month the exterior stucco work will begin!

Have you seen our bright yellow hospital? That is not the color of the building, but the exterior board. Next month stucco work will begin and the exterior walls and color will begin to manifest. At the same time, work will continue on the roof, and by early Fall the building should be completely enclosed. Power will be brought to the building which will allow further progress on mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation.

Questions? Contact: Shauna at Shauna.deMarquez@ah.org or x3187.

Construction photos can be found on our Connect Page: https://connect.ah.org/site/hmh/frank-r-howard-memorial-hospital/new-hospital-construction, www.HowardHos-pital.org and Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/howardmemorialhospital.

First Annual Jann Lamprich Award RecipientThis year marks our first year for awarding the first annual Jann Lamprich Award. This award was created in honor of Jann Lamprich who has given over 60 years of dedicated service to the hospital, including 22 years of being a member of the Auxiliary and Director of Volunteer Services. Jann has been an excellent example for all volunteers to follow and because of her leadership, we decided to award a worthy volunteer annually to recognize their remarkable efforts.

Volunteer recipient, Saundra Barrera, has been a member of the Auxiliary Volunteers for 13 years. She has accumulated 4,100 hours of service and is always willing to do more. Sandy is hard

working, dependable, and always accommodating to patients and staff. She has served in various departments in the hospital including the gift shop, information desk, and OJC. Sandy has also served on the Auxiliary board as secretary and currently as treasurer. Sandy lives in Willits with her husband, Reuben, and dog, Lovie. They have five children, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. When she’s not volunteering she enjoys playing the viola and working at In Home Support Service.

6

Joy in the JourneyIf you have ever been discouraged because of failure, please read on.

For often, achieving what you set out to do is not the important thing. Let me explain.

Two brothers decided to dig a deep hole behind their house. As they were working, a couple of older boys stopped by to watch.

“What are you doing?” asked one of the visitors.

“We plan to dig a hole all the way through the earth!” one of the brothers volunteered excitedly.

The older boys began to laugh, telling the younger ones that digging a hole all the way through the earth was impossible.

After a long silence, one of the diggers picked up a jar full of spiders, worms and a wide assortment of insects. He removed the lid and showed the wonderful contents to the scoffing visitors.

Then he said quietly and confidently, “Even if we don’t dig all the way through the earth, look what we found along the way!”

Their goal was far too ambitious, but it did cause them to dig. And that is what a goal is for - to cause us to move in the direction we have chosen; in other words, to set us to digging!

But not every goal will be fully achieved. Not every job will end successfully. Not every relationship will endure. Not every hope will come to pass. Not every love will last. Not every endeavor will be completed. Not every dream will be realized.

But when you fall short of your aim, perhaps you can say, “Yes, but look at what I found along the way! Look at the wonderful things which have come into my life because I tried to do something!”

It is in the digging that life is lived.And I believe it is joy in the journey, in the end, that truly matters.

New

Faces

Heather Hatton,Physical Therapy Aide

Rona PeckichIT Site Manager

Denver Boulter,ICU Registered Nurse Traveler

Amy SlackPACU Registered Nurse

Raub Slack,Surgery Circulator Registered Nurse

Remy Ellen Ballaho,Clinical Lab Scientist

Dennis Long, Chaplain

7

Editorial Team: Kristen McCallum, Editor in Chief Christine Bourke, Copy Editor DG Creative, Graphic Consultant

Compliance/HIPPA Reporting:Brandon Parker FCO & FSO x3001 Diane Moratti, FPO x3117 or 888-366-3833

HMH InTouch is published for employees, physicians, board members, and volunteers. Articles for submission should be sent before the 15th of the month. We reserve the right to edit for space and content.

Send Submissions to:Kristen McCallum x3127 Email: Kristen.McCallum@ah.org

Executive Team: Rick Bockmann, CEO Brandon Parker, VP Finance Karen Scott, VP Patient Care

Calendar of EventsJuly

4 Independence Day

Willits Main Street Mile •10:35a.m.Sharp•TheCornerofCommercialandMainStreets,Willits

10 Phoenix Hospice Bereavement Support Group •10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.•100SanhedrinCircle

Biggest Loser Wellness from the Inside Out •12:30-1:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

Biggest Loser Wellness from the Inside Out •1:00-1:30p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

13 LegendsoftheRedwoodsWalk/Run•8:00a.m.•MeetatGraceHudsonMuseum,Ukiah

16 Planetree Steering Committee Meeting •11:30a.m.-12:30p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

LeadershipCommittee•2:00-4:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

17 Phoenix Hospice Bereavement Support Group •10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.•100SanhedrinCircle

FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

24 GeneralOrientationDay1•9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

Phoenix Hospice Bereavement Support Group •10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.•100SanhedrinCircle

FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

25 GeneralOrientationDay2•8:30a.m.-3:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

BirthdayBashIceCreamSocial•1:30-2:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

27 FREESportsPhysicals•9:00a.m.-Noon•11OaksConferenceRoom

RelayForLife•10:00a.m.-July2810:00a.m.•RecreationGrovePark

29 PlanetreeIntegrativeTherapy/Arts&Entertainment•2:00p.m.-3:00p.m.•MainConferenceRoom

31 Phoenix Hospice Bereavement Support Group •10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.•100SanhedrinCircle

FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

These events and more can be found on the Events Calendar on the Connect Page

https://connect.ah.org/site/hmh/frank-r-howard-memorial-hospital/calendar

July

8

HMHIn-TouchIn-Touch